Four large and beautiful regions comprise central Italy. Together they are home to nine major cities in central Italy as well as several prominent resort areas, both on the eastern Adriatic side and on the west side where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Tyrrhenian Sea. This interior area of includes world-famous Tuscany, Marche, and Umbria where charming cities run coast to coast, rolling hills offer a pretty backdrop, and life meanders along at an easy pace. This specific region is referred to as The Three Sisters. The three most renowned cities in central Italy are Rome, Florence, and Pisa. They are also three of the most visited cities during tours of central Italy.

The Apennines Mountains in central Italy are a major focal point. They stretch from northern Italy to central Italy and all the way through southern Italy. A considerable portion of the country is formed by the Apennines Peninsula, which borders the Adriatic Sea. It's this peninsula that has given Italy the famous moniker "The Boot." The Apennines Mountains in central Italy are the largest part of the entire chain. Along the peninsula there are grand Italian villas, Italy house rentals, and a sea of visitors in the summer months and again in early autumn. There are many things to do in this area with the most popular being a stay in one of the many seaside resorts along either the west or east coast.

Lazio is one of the regions in central Italy. It is home to one of the most well-known cities in central Italy, Rome. There are many suggested itineraries that can be followed around Rome and nearby cities. There are plenty of incredible attractions throughout Rome that can take up quite a bit of time as well. The Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Pantheon are second to none during central Italy vacations. They are part of the foundation of Italy's history. Other top attractions in Rome include the Trevi Fountains, revered Trastevere neighborhood, the Vatican Museums, the seventeenth-century Palazzo Doria-Pamphili, and the celebrated Musei Capitolini, designed by Michelangelo. Other cities dotted around the mountain in central Italy within the Lazio region include Tivoli, Gaeta, Ostia Antica, Viterbo, and Cerveteri.

Italy Map

Abruzzo is one of the lesser known regions in central Italy and much less popular than its counterparts Umbria, Marche, and Tuscany. The cities in central Italy in the Umbria region include Trevi, Assisi, Spoleto, Spello, and Perugia. Umbria is flanked by Marche to the east and Tuscany to the west. Top attractions include Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi, Cathedral of San Pietro in Perugia, and the Duomo Spoleto in Spoleto.

Marche is a beautiful region bordered by the mountains in central Italy. This area lies on the east coast between the Apennines Mountains in central Italy and the Adriatic Sea. It's filled with historic sites, castles, mountain biking trails, stunning architecture, beaches, and wonderful art collections. Marche is considered to be off the beaten path, meaning throngs of annual tourists have not been visiting en masse. Within the Marche region, time seems to have stood still visitors can enjoy the local culture with ease. Fishing, architecture and art tours, Italian museums, and bicycle tours are popular pastimes.

The last major region home to many more fascinating cities in central Italy is Tuscany. Tuscany exudes a flavor all its own. Tuscany is often described as a wine might be: it's getting better with age. The cache of art throughout Tuscany is perhaps the most incredible of all collections in Italy, from architectural masterpieces to sculptures to paintings. Another celebrated aspect of Tuscany is the countryside, where cycling is a big hit with both visitors and locals.

The breadth of things to do is magnificent yet Tuscany is well known for being an ideal place to relax, unwind, and discover the many attributes of the entire region. The most acclaimed cities in Tuscany include Florence, Pisa, and Siena. Other cities most worthy of exploring include Arezzo, San Gimignano, Cortona, and Lucca, all stunning cities, each offering a unique feel and ideal for ending off tours of central Italy.